11 Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord,(A) we seek to persuade people. We are completely open before God, and I hope we are completely open to your consciences as well. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in the outward appearance[a] rather than in the heart.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 5:12 Lit in face

The Ministry of Reconciliation

11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord,(A) we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.(B) 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again,(C) but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us,(D) so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.

Read full chapter

by the message of truth,(A)
by the power of God;(B)
through weapons of righteousness
on the right hand and the left,

Read full chapter

in truthful speech(A) and in the power of God;(B) with weapons of righteousness(C) in the right hand and in the left;

Read full chapter

14 For if I have made any boast to him about you, I have not been embarrassed; but as I have spoken everything to you in truth,(A) so our boasting to Titus has also turned out to be the truth.

Read full chapter

14 I had boasted to him about you,(A) and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus(B) has proved to be true as well.

Read full chapter